Cooperative Engagement Capability
Cooperative Engagement Capability refers to the network for the connection of military sensor and weapon systems. It is used exclusively on the combat ships of the United States Navy , mostly within carrier combat groups . In its function and interpretation, it is similar to the Aegis combat system , with which it can be networked.
description
The CEC concept is divided into several sub-areas, which are described below.
Composite tracking
Under the influence of natural and hostile interference, the performance of many sensor systems, especially that of radar systems, is significantly reduced. In order to reduce this problem, the CEC system compares the data from all connected sensors and combines them into one image. The raw data are weighted and merged so that particularly less disturbed or particularly precise systems flow more strongly into the end result.
Precision cueing
With this concept, the tracking accuracy is to be increased , in particular to increase the hit probability of own guided missiles . Phased-array radar systems are particularly suitable for this, as they can continuously track a single target. Conventional, rotating radars benefit primarily from higher image refresh rates.
Coordinated, Cooperative Engagements
Due to the network effects of the CEC, it is possible that a complete control process from the detection of the trajectory to the final phase control can be carried out from several different platforms. This allows the sensor and weapon systems of a combat group to be used optimally, especially when many targets are to be fought under strong interference.
Components
To set up a CEC network, additional hardware is required on board the ships. The data distribution system is used to establish a connection to the ship's own weapons and sensors . It consists of around 30 Motorola 68040 processors, which process the data from the ship's systems and control them if necessary. The components are housed in reinforced cabinets for improved protection.
The data distribution system is used to transfer data between the ships . Conventional data connections such as Link 11 or Link 16 can also be used, but these are significantly less powerful. It consists of an encryption unit , two amplifier stages and an antenna. The latter is attached in a ring shape to a pillar of the superstructure in order to achieve 360 ° coverage. The antenna consists of approx. 1000 phased array elements, which has clear advantages over a conventional antenna. No maintenance-intensive moving parts are installed, as the antenna beam is aligned electronically. This leads to a strong directivity and very low side lobes . As a result, on the one hand, the data rate increases significantly with the same transmission power, and on the other hand, the reconnaissance ( SIGINT ) and disruption ( EloGM ) of the network connection is made more difficult for enemy forces . This is also achieved through frequency spreading and encryption. Transmission takes place in the frequency range from 0.5 to 1 GHz.
integration
The following components, among others, can be integrated into the CEC system:
Combat systems
- Aegis combat system
- Ship Self Defense System
- Advanced Combat Direction System
- Naval Tactical Data System
Radar systems
- AN / SPY-1
- AN / SPS-48
- AN / SPS-49
- AN / SPG-51
- Mk-23
- AN / UPX-29 ( IFF )
- AN / APS-138 (airborne radar, P-3 Orion )
Ship classes
- Nimitz class (retrofitted on all ships)
- Arleigh Burke class (standard from Flight IIA , retrofitted on all other ships)
- Ticonderoga class (upgraded with Baseline 2 modernization on all ships)
- Wasp class (retrofitted on all ships)
- San Antonio class
- Zumwalt class
- Freedom class
- Independence class
Planes
- F / A-18 Hornet (via Link 16)
- E-2C Hawkeye 2000
- P-3 Orion